Over the course of the past few years, several factors have combined to push up sticker prices on new equipment. And the recent dramatic fall in the value of the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. Greenback has been one of the biggest influences. Not surprisingly there has been a significant cooling off of new equipment […] Read more
Used farm equipment offers good value
Higher costs for new equipment make used machines more attractive to buyers
AGCO strikes for the Pole in a tractor
A team of adventurers drives a Massey Ferguson 5610 tractor to the South Pole
We could make any number of comments about how normal it is for Prairie farmers to operate their tractors during severe winter weather. But for 38-year-old Manon Ossevoort, a Dutch actress and adventurer, driving a tractor through conditions like that was a dream come true. A few years ago Ossevoort left Holland on a unique […] Read more
An Antarctic Massey Ferguson tractor for your farm
If the Massey Ferguson 5610 that made its way to the South Pole impressed you so much you want one for your own farm, AGCO’s newest marketing idea may be right up your alley. In late May, the brand sent out email notifications saying it is “proud to launch a Special Edition of the MF […] Read more
Another year at Farm Progress
Walking around the grounds of Canada’s Farm Progress Show in Regina, it is clear manufacturers’ R&D departments are still hard at work. There is a lot of equipment here with updated features. And, of course, more than a few entirely new machines and models. So it’s clear the downturn in new ag equipment sales hasn’t […] Read more
Nokian ag tire sets world speed record
Hakkapeliitta TRI tires get the company a place in Guinness Book of World Records
It’s almost impossible to watch TV these days and not see some advertisement for an automotive product — or the latest Hollywood movie — with sporty cars drifting sideways around corners at high speeds. Seeing an ag tractor do that, however, is unusual to say the least. But if you log onto Nokian Tyres’ website […] Read more
It never ends
Just as grain elevators once dominated the landscape of prairie towns, large farm workshops now dominate the landscape of prairie farmyards. Not having one seems to be unthinkable for most farmers. And I agree. A state-of-the-art shop may be one of the most valuable investments producers can make, these days. Back when I was a […] Read more
Belarus tractors are back
A new North American distributor officially announces the reintroduction of the Minsk-built line of tractors
The Minsk-built line of tractors offering low purchase prices and simple mechanical technology, formerly marketed in Canada as Belarus, is officially back. Their distributor claims the tractors still offer what it calls simple, durable and easy-to-repair designs. But this time the machines wear the MTZ brand name, not Belarus. “It’s the same manufacturer, for sure,” […] Read more
ISOBUS compatibility sees improvement under AEF system
Machines using the new communications standard are designed to 'play nice'
In 2008 engineers at the major manufacturers and a few other brands decided to work together to create a standard for tractor-implement digital compatibility. That led to the creation of the Agricultural Industry Electronics Foundation (AEF), which now has over 170 member companies and groups. The ultimate goal of that organization was to create a […] Read more
CJ3A Jeep project wraps up
The old Willys Jeep finally roared out of the workshop under its own power
It’s finished. On a weekend morning, my neighbour Corey and I jumped into Project CJ3A after spending some time tinkering with a cantankerous fuel pump and drove the Jeep out of the Grainews garage. Our test drive through a hay field that day was the first time the Jeep moved under its own power since […] Read more
PHOTOS: Jeep CJ3A project: A quick timeline
If you’ve been following along in previous issues, you’ll know Project CJ3A has been the focus of our ongoing restoration of a civilian model, 1952 Willys Jeep. In previous issues we’ve shown you how we tackled a variety of the necessary repairs, while turning what was was a non-running vehicle into one that is now […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
